President Obama's executive order to temporarily halt deportation of some undocumented immigrants has provided hope to them, but it also has put many families and friends on opposite sides of a divide.
Monica Sibri and Yohan Garcia are friends. Garcia came to the United States when he was 15, Sibri when she was 16. He is eligible to remain in the country for now; she is not.
President Obama this year drew a line. Immigrants who were brought to the US illegally at age 15 or younger are eligible to stay for at least two years.
"Now, let's be clear," said Obama. "This is not amnesty. This is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix."
But not everyone meets those requirements. Sibri, 20, is from Ecuador and is a student at the College of Staten Island.
"Half of my family is here and my parents are here. If I go back to Ecuador, I have no one," said Sibri.
Garcia, 25, says he feels lucky that he is eligible to legally stay, but he worries about Sibri and others who may be forced to leave.
"I feel that students like her with great talents should be given the opportunity to do something great in this country," said Garcia. "She is getting her education here. I think she will be a great asset to the United States of America."
Immigrant Lourdes Romero is eligible to stay, but still has concerns.
"I felt I can now fly and so on, accomplish all these things that I always dreamt of, but at the same time I kept thinking about all these people that are not eligible," said Romero.
The immigrants are not the only ones with an opinion. Joanna Marzullo is with a group that opposes Obama's order. "Obama is incorrect in allowing illegal alien trespassers to remain in this country or to make it easier for them," said Marzullo.
Father Bob Vitaglione at the Sacred Heart church in Brooklyn calls Obama's policy a noble gesture, but he wants a change in attitudes.
"Our undocumented immigrants of today are, in effect, 20th century slaves," said Vitaglione. "They work on minimum or below minimum wage. They'll do the dirtiest, scuzziest jobs, which in the old days slaves would have done."
More than 100,000 people have applied for the president's so-called deferred action.
The administration hopes Congress will pass a law allowing young adults brought to the U.S. illegally as children to eventually become U.S. citizens. But in the meantime, for those not eligible under his plan, they will either be deported, return home voluntarily or remain in the United States as illegals.
体坛英语资讯:Ding eases into semis at Snooker Masters
体坛英语资讯:I wont leave Barcelona stranded, says Guardiola
体坛英语资讯:Milan move four points clear with 2-0 win over Cesena
体坛英语资讯:Japan beat Syria 2-1 in Asian Cup
体坛英语资讯:Leverkusen jumps on second of German Bundesliga
体坛英语资讯:Dutch striker Babel completes move from Liverpool to Hoffenheim
体坛英语资讯:Agassi into tennis Hall of Fame
体坛英语资讯:Zico praises Flamengos high profile acquisitions
体坛英语资讯:Fu to meet Allen in Snooker Masters semifinals
体坛英语资讯:Sevilla thrash Villarreal 3-0 to reach Copa del Rey semifinal
体坛英语资讯:China ties Uzbekistan 2-2 to end Asian Cup tour
体坛英语资讯:Federer, Roddick, Wozniacki, Venus reach Australian Open third round
体坛英语资讯:Higuain returns to Spain aiming to play before end of season
体坛英语资讯:Santos starts Sao Paulo state championship with 4-1 win
体坛英语资讯:Nadal to meet Brazilian Daniel in Australia Open first round
体坛英语资讯:Russia becomes official host of 2018 FIFA World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Djokovic advances to 4th round of Australian Open as Troicki retires with stomach strain
体坛英语资讯:Roddick, Sharapova eliminated from Australian Open; Federer, Wozniacki, Li Na remains
体坛英语资讯:Injured Williams survives threat to reach 3rd round at Australian Open
体坛英语资讯:Zvonareva beats Safarova, eyes 3rd straight Slam final
体坛英语资讯:Phelps to compete in Shanghai worlds
体坛英语资讯:Pienaar to leave Everton
体坛英语资讯:Dayron Robles says ready to break world record in 60m hurdles
体坛英语资讯:Chinese Li cruises into semifinals at Australian Open
体坛英语资讯:Japan, Jordan into Asian Cup last eight
体坛英语资讯:Struggling Stuttgart, Bremen win at German Bundesliga
体坛英语资讯:UEFA to hold lottery for Euro 2012 tickets
体坛英语资讯:American cycling hero Armstrong leads ride for Australias Queensland flood relief
体坛英语资讯:Inter beat Cesena 3-2
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona to meet Almeria in Copa del Rey semis